A new American musical, “Muskie Love,” by Paul Libman and Dave Hudson, has hit the stage at The Great American Melodrama in Oceano.
Set on the shores of Green Bay, Wis., this comic fish tale, which plays through June 8, is a musical loosely based on William Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing.” Ben (Jay Campbell) and Bea (Suzy King) are rival fishing guides, both single and happy that way. Through the scheming of Bea’s Uncle Roy (Jim Shine), his daughter Sarah (Katie Worley), and her boyfriend, Claude (Stefan Espinosa), Ben and Bea are soon lured into a romantic trap. Contrary to their sworn hatred of each other, the couple finds themselves inexplicably drawn together.
Throw in an incompetent Fish and Game Warden (John Keating) and the ever-present Wisconsin love of the Green Bay Packers, and you’ve got a musical comedy about romance, football, and fishing — and not necessarily in that order.
“Muskie Love” premiered at Wisconsin’s American Folklore Theatre in 2004, and the Melodrama’s production, directed by Erik Stein, is the show’s first West Coast performance.
After “Muskie Love” at each performance is the Melodrama’s famous Vaudeville Revue, full of song, dance and comedy. Director Eric Hoit and Musical Director Jordan Richardson have crafted a revue that pokes fun at one of America’s national obsessions, food. The “Culinary Cabaret” includes a satire of a TV reality cooking show and a sketch about a fast food restaurant with an unusual twist. The six-member cast also appear as kids in a tribute to the potato, ’80s rock stars with hit songs about food, and even a singing hamburger and slice of cake.
Performances are at 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 4:30 and 8:30 p.m. Saturdays, and 6 p.m. Sundays. (On Thursday, May 8, a 2 p.m. matinee replaces the 7 p.m. performance.) The Melodrama’s snack bar features food and drinks, served before the show and during intermissions. Tickets cost $16 or $20, with discount given for seniors, students, children and groups. For more information or to make reservations, call the Melodrama Box Office at 489-2499. The Great American Melodrama is on Highway 1 in Oceano, 3 miles south of Pismo Beach.
FYI:
Tickets cost $16 or $20, with discounts given for seniors, students,
children and groups. For more information or to make reservations, call the Melodrama Box Office at 489-2499.